City Manager's Extensive Travel Raises Questions

Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington traveled to numerous cities across the United States and Europe in 2024 at a cost of $21,102, according to credit card receipts obtained by Michigan Capitol Confidential through a records request.

The spending came just months after the city's comptroller, Max Frantz, flagged some of Washington's expenses as irregular. Frantz subsequently alleged in a December 2025 lawsuit that the city stripped him of authority, removed 13 employees from his department, and cut $1.3 million in funding.

Global Exchange Trip to Belgium

Washington's most notable trip was to Belgium in May 2024, where he attended the International City/County Management Association's Global Exchange at a cost of $2,888. He stayed at Duke's Palace, a five-star hotel, to participate in the event.

The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit. The conference itinerary included meetings with officials from Bruges and other Belgian municipalities.

"We traveled to Belgium in May 2024 as part of the International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) Global Exchange, undertaken in his role as an appointed member of ICMA's Global Engagement Committee," Steve Guitar, a Grand Rapids spokesman, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email.

"The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit," Guitar said. "The information Washington learned will help Grand Rapids create policies that involve mobility, technology and urban development."

Guitar added that "Sub-national diplomacy is a priority for Grand Rapids, reflected in programs such as Sister Cities. Participation in ICMA exchanges strengthens global partnerships that inform local policy and service improvements."

ICMA covered Washington's conference registration fees, Guitar said. The conference itinerary included meetings with officials from Bruges and other Belgian municipalities. In accordance with ICMA's program guidelines, participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related expenses under their employer's policies.

"We believe the value derived from the Global Exchange program, particularly through the European AI Summit, was significant," Guitar said. "City Manager Mark Washington traveled to Belgium in May 2024 as part of the International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) Global Exchange, undertaken in his role as an appointed member of ICMA's Global Engagement Committee. The exchange focused on pedestrian and transit solutions, urban innovation, and emerging technologies, including participation in a European AI summit. The information Washington learned will help Grand Rapids create policies that involve mobility, technology and urban development."

Domestic and International Travel

Belgium was not the only destination Washington visited during 2024. He used the city credit card to spend $21,102 across 73 transactions. Most of the expense was for flights and hotels.

Washington traveled to:

• Austin, Houston, and Fort Worth, Texas
• Indian Wells, California
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Mackinac Island, Michigan
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Washington, D.C.

He also paid fees to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, the Michigan Municipal League, and various parking and rental car fees, according to 12 months of credit card records.

Comptroller Lawsuit Context

The travel expense story comes amid ongoing legal and administrative tensions at city hall. In December 2025, comptroller Max Frantz filed a lawsuit alleging that the city had stripped him of authority, removed 13 employees from his department, and cut $1.3 million in funding.

Frantz previously flagged some of Washington's spending as irregular before filing the lawsuit. The comptroller's concerns centered on the propriety of certain expenditures and the need for better oversight of city finances.

ICMA Exchange Benefits

The ICMA Global Exchange is designed to share best practices among local government leaders worldwide. Washington represented Grand Rapids and the Midwest region on the delegation.

"In accordance with ICMA's program guidelines, participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related expenses under their employer's policies," Guitar explained. "Total cost to the City for the Belgium exchange was $2,888. Average lodging cost per night was $170, which is comparable to the cost of mid-range business hotels in the United States."

Guitar emphasized that the program strengthened global partnerships that inform local policy and service improvements. "ICMA set the itinerary and lodging for the delegation, in which Mr. Washington represented Grand Rapids and the Midwest region," he said.

Ongoing Oversight Questions

The Michigan Capitol Confidential investigation uncovered detailed credit card records showing Washington's extensive travel throughout 2024. The records span all 12 months of the year and include redacted statements showing various transactions across multiple destinations.

Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan. The city continues to navigate budget challenges and administrative changes as it balances growth and service delivery.

The comptroller's lawsuit alleges significant reductions in his department's resources, including the loss of 13 employees and $1.3 million in funding. Frantz's concerns about spending oversight predate the lawsuit.